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Twenty-six scholarship funds at the Community Foundation awarded 93 awards in 2014

August 21st, 2014

In 2014, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis made 93 scholarship awards from 26 different scholarship funds, totaling $124,205 to 89 students. Awards ranged from $500 to $2,500 and supported young people ranging from community volunteers to participants in the Mid-South Junior Golf Program.

“The variety present in the scholarship funds, often established in memory of a loved one, help to address very specific needs or requests,” according to Sutton Mora Hayes, vice president of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis.

“For example, the Ruby Holmes Hefley Scholarship is for students with a parent or guardian who is disabled,” she said. “The James Hyter Memorial Scholarship is for students who have a passion for vocal performance, and the Edna Fant McConnell Scholarship is for single mothers who are least 21 years of age looking to go back to school and complete their education.”

Wynter Scott, a recent graduate of Middle College High School, received a Maxine A. Smith Scholarship. Scott, who was salutatorian of her class, will attend Colorado College. The Maxine A. Smith Scholarship is for students who have participated in the NAACP’s ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) program. Scott wants to be an attorney in order to help others, and debate and oratory are her passions. She went to nationals for ACT-SO as a sophomore in high school and did not place; she went again in July 2014 and placed 2nd in dramatics.

“[Wynter’s] commitment to the community is unparalleled and…is characteristic of the student-leaders you seek to fund,” said Dr. Michelle L. Klosterman, faculty director of the LENS @ Wake Forest summer program in which Scott participated.

Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, economic need, and be attending an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocation programs. Students may apply for more than one scholarship, and there is no application fee. As with all charitable grants, recipients are not required to pay back the funds. All scholarship awards are for one year only but several funds allow recipients to reapply.

Donors interested in establishing a new fund must meet requirements set by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, one of which is a minimum investment of $25,000.

“We know that many in the community aren’t able to establish their own scholarship fund so we encourage anyone to contribute to the funds we currently administer,” said Mora Hayes.

For a complete list of 2014 scholarship recipients and more information about the Community Foundation’s scholarship program, please click here.